"Although neglected in scholarly literature, the Latter Rain foreshadowed themes that emerged [in] the 1970s to the early 2000s.... Latter Rain participants - ousted by the Pentecostal denominations - became a diaspora of the Spirit" - The Cambridge Companion to Pentecostalism, 2014

don't miss a thing ...

scroll all the way to the bottom and see LARGE, hard-to-find photos of the Pembertons, Earl Lee, Mom Beall, and others!

Saturday, 18 May 2013

The Iversons: integrity & balance

by Archibald Thackeray

Revival can be messy. By that I mean, that even when a revival is truly the work of God, wrong practices or wrong doctrine may be found right alongside all the positive spiritual benefits. The Lord's work is, of course, pure and holy, but our responses to what is powerful (and very often unexpected) can be off the mark because of our immaturity, ignorance, and even more seriously - our desire to seek personal advantage.

Therefore, every revival needs people like K. R. "Dick" Iverson and his late wife Edie.

There are thousands of people across the globe whose testimony about the Iversons would be: they loved the Lord, loved the moving of his Spirit in power, and they sought always to make sure that doctrinal balance was maintained. 'Fleshiness' or faddishness (which usually crop up as the result of carnal motivations coupled with bad doctrine) were eschewed by the Iversons.

Edie was the first of the couple to experience the Latter Rain revival. Shortly after their engagement in June of 1949, Dick began traveling with an itinerant healing evangelist while Edie [then Edie Swanson] enrolled in the school in North Battleford, Saskatchewan where the revival had broken out the previous year.

Dick writes, "In fact, that revival (and Edie's experiences there) would have long range implications for Bible Temple [the church they would lead in Portland, Oregon] and our ministry. The 'latter rain' outpouring, as it was called, became a major stream of the Holy Spirit emphasizing praise and worship (with its power to open the Word), along with prophecy and the laying on of hands. It was within that movement that the roots of the charismatic movement originated." (The Journey: a Lifetime of Prophetic Moments)

Steve Ganz, a missionary and former student of the Bible college founded by Dick Iverson (Portland Bible College), says, "Sister Edie, as she was known, would lead worship with enthusiasm. She was not a good singer, but her love of Jesus was so obvious that we in the congregation could care less and followed her as she led us in honoring God with all our hearts" (in "A Tribute to Edie Iverson" which can be read here).

Dick's experience with the healing evangelist was not as positive. He recalls, "I remember that night after night there was a tremendous amount of money being given and one of my tasks was to help count the money. As I counted it in a room with several others, the table would be literally piled high with money, yet, at the same time, Neil [his brother] and I never received the weekly wage we had been promised." (The Journey: a Lifetime of Prophetic Moments)

And though Edie had an enriching experience in North Battleford, as the Iversons interacted with others later in the Latter Rain Movement, Dick saw yet more behavior that could be disillusioning. He writes, "... as with other movements or outpourings of the Holy Spirit, there came afterwards distortion and fakery. Charlatans got a hold of it and all sorts of offshoots went spinning out of control. In many church circles the 'latter rain' became known as the 'scattered rain' and was roundly ridiculed." (The Journey: a Lifetime of Prophetic Moments)
﻿

Layzell & Schoch

The Iversons were then blessed to meet two Latter Rain pioneers who manifested the fruit of the Spirit as well as the gifts of the Spirit. Dick writes, "David Schoch - and Pastor Reg Layzell, who we would also get to know on the trip - were two sincere men of God who came out of the 'latter rain' movement dedicated to protecting and keeping pure the fruit of that outpouring. While others twisted, distorted, and indulged in various chicanery, these men among a handful of others, preserved the essence of the Holy Spirit's great gifting." (The Journey: a Lifetime of Prophetic Moments)﻿﻿

The doctrinal balance and integrity that the Iversons instinctively longed for, and then saw manifested in people like Schoch and Layzell, became a hallmark of the ministries they headed: Bible Temple (now known as City Bible Church), Portland Bible College, and the ministerial association Dick founded, Ministers Fellowship International. Dick gives an overview of the Iversons' personal story and the story of their ministries on his blog here.

Edie passed away in 2008 and Dick's tribute to her can be read here. He is in his mid-eighties now and is presently married to the former Roxy Kidder.

[UPDATE April 11, 2018 - Pastor Iverson went to the be with the Lord on April 8, 2018. Charisma News just posted a lengthy tribute that can be accessed here. City Bible Church also posted a 52-minute video remembering his ministry and that can be accessed here.]

5 comments:

We were so sad to hear of Dick's passing this morning. This article: http://iversonministriesinternational.org/history/ tells that in 2008, the Lord told Pastor Iverson that he had ten years of ministry left. And so he did.

Without the prophetic input of Brother Dick and Sister Edie in my life and ministry I would not have made it through this life. Their dedication to the Church (people and the glory of God) is exemplary of apostolic ministry.

Moses Vegh addressing the Washington for Jesus rally on the National Mall in 1980 by Archibald Thackeray Moses Vegh, who is the head o...

James Beall tells Bethesda's history

Pastor James Lee Beall recalls the history of the church his mother founded - Bethesda Missionary Temple - in this talk given at a FGBMFI convention in Washington, DC in the 70s. ***Click on image*** for info on purchasing.

"Singing in the Spirit"

*** Click on the image *** to link to an article by Dr. Richard Riss that explains singing in the Spirit and the phenomenon in the Latter Rain revival known as, "the heavenly choir."

Pat Gruits' 96th birthday!

Patricia Beall Gruits, who was profiled on this blog in May 2013, turns 96 today, February 22, 2019. She is one of the few ministers remaining from the earliest days of the Latter Rain revival (others include: Charles Green, Hugh Layzell, Kayy Gordon, Ernest Gentile, and Donald Murphy). Her most recent book, Understanding the Winds of God, is pictured above. If you are interested in purchasing it *** click on the book's image. ***

Kevin Conner (1927 - 2019)

The Australian author and Bible teacher Kevin Conner went to be with the Lord February 18, 2019. *** Click on image *** to access audio recordings of his Bible teaching.

Kevin Conner's autobiography

Conner experienced the LRM in Sydney, Australia in 1951. He pastored the Waverly Christian Fellowship in Melbourne. An author of several books, he also taught for many years at Portland Bible College in Oregon.

Barbara Green (1933 - 2018)

Barbara Green went to be with the Lord on September 10, 2018. She and her husband Charles started Word of Faith Temple in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1953. Under the Green's 57-year leadership, that church went on to be the largest in the city. *** Click on image *** to see the slideshow that was shown at her memorial service

Word of Faith Temple, New Orleans, Louisiana

5600 Read Boulevard location

Garlon & Modest Pemberton, Houston, TX

The brothers were both gifted speakers, and they pastored in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They also were hosts of the Dixie Camp Meetings that drew people from across the globe.

Carl Neal, Baton Rouge, LA

Known for powerful preaching and prophecies, he pastored Evangel Temple.

Memorial service for M. D. Beall

***Click on image*** to hear the audio recording of the memorial service held for M. D. Beall on September 21, 1979. Speakers included Latter Rain pioneers Garlon Pemberton and Charles Green, as well as, Mom Beall's children: Patricia Beall Gruits, James Lee Beall, and Harry Beall.

A Hand on My Shoulder

***Click on image*** to link to the autobiography of M. D. Beall, A Hand on My Shoulder

The Layzells of Vancouver

Hugh Layzell (Reg Layzell's son) writes about his family's important role in the revival in Canada in the mid-twentieth century, plus its overseas missions activity.

Stanley Frodsham, Springfield, MO

When the Latter Rain revival broke out Frodsham was the editor of the Assembly of God's Pentecostal Evangel. Myrtle Beall invited him to see the revival's impact in her Detroit church. Frodsham was so convinced of the revival's validity that eventually it became untenable for him to remain in the AG, which did not approve the revival. *** Click on image *** to hear the audio of a sermon - "As Rain Upon the Mown Grass" - delivered by Frodsham at an Elim Bible Institute camp meeting in July 1967.

Thomas Wyatt, Portland, OR

A pastor known for his Wings of Healing radio broadcast. He was one of the elder statesmen of the Latter Rain Movement and was instrumental in the revival's missions impetus.

Max Wyatt, Salem, OR

Max, the son of Thomas Wyatt, pastored Faith Tabernacle in Salem and also served as a missionary to Africa.

Winston Nunes, Tacoma, WA

Encountered Latter Rain activity in Vancouver in 1948. Went on to pastor in Toronto, Canada. Recognized as an outstanding Bible teacher.

Ivan Q. Spencer's biography

Willow in the Wind: A Spiritual Pilgrimmage by Marion Meloon chronicles the life of the founder of Elim Bible Institute. Spencer was one of the LRM's elder statesmen.

Elim Bible Institute, Lima, NY

Elim was founded by Ivan Q. Spencer in 1924. It has been known over the decades for its integrity, missions emphasis, spirituality, and a desire for true unity in body of Christ.

Alton Earl Lee, Los Angeles, CA

Pastored Immanuel Gospel Temple and was known for ministering the gift of healing. Both he and his wife Rhoda were powerfully effective preachers.

Violet Kiteley, Oakland, CA

She was present in the early days of the revival outbreak in North Battleford. She pastored an influential church in Oakland. Among other things, Violet is remembered for her pioneering leadership in worship symposiums.

E. Charlotte Baker, Seattle, WA

Charlotte and Violet Kiteley did street ministry together at Glad Tidings in Vancouver, pastored by Reg Layzell. She went on to pastor King's Temple in Seattle. She also helped to establish a Bible school in Ghana. Well-known for her prophetic parables. Photo provided by Gary and Louise Short.

Edie Iverson, Portland, Oregon

Attended the bible school in North Battleford during the second year of the revival. Pastored Bible Temple in Portland with her husband, Dick. She was the author of two well-known choruses - Thanks be to God and The Lord Reigneth.

Rozella & Leonard Fox, San Bernardino, CA

Leonard pastored in California and was involved in African missions. He is remembered as a great preacher.

Longest-living LR minister

Currently 102 years old and living in Atlanta, Donald Murphy formerly pastored in Miami. *** Click on image *** to hear a recording of Donald prophesying and then reminiscing about how he came to be involved in the LRM. Photo is the property of Larry Davis, Marietta, Georgia.

A. W. Rasmussen, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Founder of the Independent Assemblies of God International. Host of a Latter Rain convention in Edmonton in October 1948. Ern Baxter said of that convention, "I never saw such a concentration of the power of God."

Joseph Mattsson-Boze, Chicago, IL

A native of Sweden, he pastored the Philadelphia Church in Chicago. Edited the Herald of Faith magazine that merged with Gerald Derstine's Harvest Time magazine.

Revival Artifacts ...

***Click on image*** to go to another of my websites, Revival Artifacts, which features Latter Rain Movement ministers, plus Charismatics like Jamie Buckingham, Bob Mumford, and Mark Rutland, and Pentecostals like Jack Hayford

Moses Vegh's autobiography

Vegh pastored for many years in Findlay, Ohio. When he met his wife Betty she was a member of the Bethesda Missionary Temple. Moses relates how he traveled the world preaching, even praying personally for Boris Yeltsin.

Ernest Gentile, San Jose, CA

Ernest first experienced the LRM as a 20-year-old at Crescent Beach, BC in 1950. Ernest is the author of several edifying and enlightening books. He and his wife Anna pastor in New Mexico.

Includes LRM history

The author, Ernest Gentile, first experienced the revival in British Columbia in 1950. Gentile is both a prophet and a teacher. He tells about M. D. Beall saying he is a "seer". This book is a splendid resource for the study of prophecy.

Latter Rain affects China!

Includes a chapter entitled, "The Latter Rain Movement and China's Revival". Balcombe was prophesied over by Reg Layzell, Violet Kiteley, and David Schoch. Schoch said in 1963 that Balcombe would minister in Red China - he did, beginning in 1978!

Dennis & Kathy Balcombe, China

Violet Kiteley, Reg Layzell, and David Schoch all prophesied over Dennis Balcombe. In 1963, Schoch said Balcombe would ministry in Red China - and beginnning in 1978 he did!

missions in West Africa

Paul Cannon shares how revival came to West Africa. This is a thrilling story of God's love and his power to deliver.

Paul & Mildred Cannon, Decatur, IL

Missionaries to West Africa & pastors in the United States. In 1953, Paul graduated from Thomas Wyatt's Bethesda Bible Institute.

Sixto Lopez, Latin America

Sixto utilized radio broadcasting in his missions to Cuba and Colombia. He and Carlton Spencer and other Elim ministers traveled to Detroit in February 1949 to witness the revival services. Part of his report of the services was the "brokenness, yieldedness ... and a flow of love and fellowship" that they experienced.

Vera Ludlum Bachle, Detroit, MI

Vera told Myrtle Beall about a revival that was taking place in Canada in 1948, and they both went to Vancouver in November to see for themselves what was happening. She was an evangelist who preached in all 50 states and in every Canadian province.

Mom & Pop Beall, Detroit, MI

Mom Beall was the founder of the Bethesda Missionary Temple, and she and her family provided leadership for many ministries that sought the Lord in revival. The anointing that was on her preaching and praying is unforgettable.

M. D. Beall - FULL obituary

*** Click on image *** to read the Detroit Free Press' full obituary for Mom Beall that ran in the FP September 21, 1979 edition.

M. D. Beall obituary (small portion)

Detroit News (September 21, 1979)

Patricia Beall Gruits, Detroit, MI

Gruits, the daughter of Latter Rain pioneer M. D. 'Mom' Beall, founded RHEMA International, an educational and medical mission in Haiti, with her late husband, J. Peter Gruits. She is the author of the best-selling catechism, Understanding God.

Classic LRM catechism

Over ONE MILLION copies of Patricia Beall Gruits' catechism have been distributed.

James Lee Beall, Detroit, MI

James Beall was one of the most sought after speakers in both the Latter Rain Movement and the Charismatic Movement. He preached on all the continents but Antartica.

An interview with James Lee Beall

***Click on image*** to read the complete interview James Lee Beall gave to Pathfinders in 1983

has commentary by James Lee Beall

Three of the contributors have LRM connections - James Lee Beall (commentary on the Pastoral Epistles), Dick Iverson (commentary on the Psalms), and Charles Green (an article on "The Pathway of Praise and Worship"). This study bible was edited by Jack Hayford. *click on image* to view an excerpt from the Book of Genesis.

Harry M. Beall, Detroit, MI

An associate pastor and minister of music at Bethesda Missionary Temple. His rich baritone voice was utilized both as a soloist and a worship leader.

Eleanor & Paul Stern, Kenya

Paul and his wife Eleanor were missionaries sent out from Bethesda Missionary Temple. They later pastored in Danville, Illinois.

The Stallwoods, Nigeria

Bruce, Lucinda, and sons were missionaries sent out from Bethesda Missionary Temple.

Owen Shackett, Tacoma, WA

This is Owen's 1951 graduation photo from the Bethesda Bible Institute in Detroit. He went on to pastor the large People's Church in Tacoma.

Ollie McCubbin, Sandusky, Ohio

Sent out from the Bethesda Missionary Temple to pastor in Sandusky.

Elton Weatherly, Ypsilanti, MI

Founded Bethesda Bible Church (now, Bethesda Church) in 1961 with his wife, Judith.

Fred Poole, Philadelphia, PA

Originally from Wales, Poole pastored Philadelphia Gospel Temple, one of the earliest churches to embrace the Latter Rain revival. ***Click on image*** to hear one of Poole's sermons.

Clair Hutchins, Chicago, IL

Hutchins, who pastored Beulah Temple, was well known as a singer and a preacher. His daughter is Carol Cymbala, the leader of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Paul & Lura Grubb, Memphis, TN

Pastors of Faith Temple

Graham Truscott, San Diego, CA

Graham and Pamela Truscott led Restoration Temple in San Diego. Graham authored several books.

William Faupel, Naples, Florida

Devoted 125 pages of his PhD dissertation to the LRM. Past president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

Richard Riss, Newark, NJ

Author of Latter Rain: The Latter Rain movement of 1948 and the Mid-Twentieth Century Evangelical Awakening, the most extensive account of the LRM of 1948. Professor of history at Pillar College.

Richard Riss' LRM history

Weak on the Bethesda Missionary Temple part of the story because the author did not have access to most of Bethesda's primary source materials due to a fire at the church in 1962.

More history from Riss

Includes coverage of the Azusa Street revival, the LRM of 1948, and the Charismatic movement.

Riss' article in AG Heritage

*** Click on image *** to access Richard Riss' article entitled, "The New Order of the Latter Rain: A Look at the Revival Movement on Its 40th Anniversary" in the Assemblies of God publication, Heritage (fall 1987 edition). The .pdf link downloads the entire 20-pages of that issue. Riss' article begins on page 15.

Revival Church perspective

The author, Dick Iverson, was the founder of Bible Temple and Portland Bible College in Portland, Oregon. His wife, Edie, attended the Bible college in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

Daily Devotional by Ivan Q. Spencer

These devotions by Ivan Spencer were first published in The Elim Pentecostal Herald. Included is an editorial he wrote concerning the Latter Rain revival, entitled, "The Custodians" (originally, "Who are the Custodians of the Latter Rain?")

Sees LRM as the precursor to the Charismatic Movement

More than just a recounting of the LRM though, this is Hamon's survey of all of the Church's history.

Canadian LRM backgrounds

The chapters on the LRM were written by William Faupel and Mark Hutchinson.

Glad Tidings, Vancouver, Canada

Site of a revival outbreak in November 1948. Pastor Reg Layzell hosted the Hawtin brothers from Saskatchewan. Myrtle Beall was among those prophesied over.

Nellie & Reg Layzell, Vancouver, BC

Hosted the Hawtin brothers for revival services in 1948. Pastored Glad Tidings Church in Vancouver. Reg was one of the LRM's elder statesmen and was known for his balance, integrity, and his teaching on the "sacrifice of praise."

Hugh & Audrey Layzell, British Columbia

Missionaries to Uganda. Hugh also pastored in Hamilton, Ontario. They authored the book Sons of His Purpose which includes much of the history of the 1948 revival in western Canada.

Kayy Gordon, Nunavut, Canada

Kayy Gordon left her home church (Glad Tidings in Vancouver) at 22 years old to start an effective and enduring mission in the Arctic.

James Routley, Chilliwack, BC

Jim pastored Pentecostal Tabernacle in Chilliwack and was an early associate of George Hawtin and Reg Layzell.

Sharon Orphanage and Schools, North Battleford, Saskatchewan

The site of the initial outbreak of revival in February 1948.

Sharon Orphanage & Schools

*Click on image* to see the original September 1947 letter (it is a .pdf file) from George Hawtin, Percy Hunt, and Herrick Holt announcing the opening of the facilities in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The facilities were the site of the revival that broke out six months later in February 1948.

The Sharon Star

The Sharon Star was the publication that came from the revival site in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. It is printed monthly to this day. *** Click on image *** to view current and past issues (only as far back as the year 2000, though).

George & Rhoda Hawtin, Saskatchewan

Jim Watt says George was the undisputed leader of the revival outbreak in North Battleford.

Ern & Jessie Hawtin, Saskatchewan

Ern was George Hawtin's brother and also a prominent prophet in North Battleford.

George Warnock, Canada

Author of "The Feast of Tabernacles".

Marie & Jim Watt, Seattle, WA

Jim was one of the original seven elders at the work in North Battleford. He also served for a time as Ern Baxter's secretary.

Milford Kirkpatrick, Saskatchewan

Present at the revival outbreak in North Battleford. He served as a missionary to Japan.